OK, I've only recently been in to expanding my horizons, so to speak, with bourbons. Before I'd always been a one-bottle-at-a-time guy, but as my brother-in-law kept pouring me samples, I started to truly appreciate the nuances in various (types of) bourbons.

I don't NOT like wheated bourbons, but there more of a mid-afternoon drink for me. Not a whole lot going on, feels like something is 'missing', as others have said.

When MM first announced the lowering of the proof, I thought it sucked. Don't water down my drink!! Then I realized, I've come to like Larceny at least as much, anyway... and there are a ton of other bourbons and whiskeys out there to drink instead... and oh well, guess I won't be buying any more MM.

I have a novice palate, I'm probably in the camp they 'knew' wouldn't taste the difference anyway. Still, it's the principle of it all.

Ultimately, I did not care. I wouldn't have bought it if prices had gone up instead, I wouldn't have bought it knowing it'd been watered down to save them money/make them more. Odd PR move, perhaps poor publicity stunt.

02-18-2013, 20:33

jwacky

Re: The "I don't care about the Maker's Mark's drama" thread.

So... I don't care about the MM drama because there are so many other great bourbons for me to try!

02-18-2013, 20:57

qman22

Re: The "I don't care about the Maker's Mark's drama" thread.

I enjoy both wheat and rye varieties of bourbon, but I've never cared for Maker's Mark. It has an overkill of cinnamon flavor that reminds me of a melted fireball jawbreaker without the heat... It's off putting to me

I agree that it's too young, and would love to try a well aged version. More time in the wood would probably make MM juice much more interesting, but I guess we will never know... Even though I seldom drink MM, I have to admit all this drama has been interesting. It's like a bad reality show that you can't stop watching even though you know it sucks... How long will the fans blast the Facebook page? Who will give in first? Holy crap this many people like MM! Oh the suspense!! Reversed decision!! Hooray!! Wait.. I don't even like this stuff... Eh, back to sipping on Weller 12

02-18-2013, 23:14

dementedavenger

Re: The "I don't care about the Maker's Mark's drama" thread.

I love wheaters but I hate MM. It tastes sweet and syrupy to me. I actually got pissed at a high-end cocktail bar when they made me a "bartender's choice" cocktail and used MM. On the flip side, my wife got pissed at me when I took out a bottle of MM (received as a gift) one night because she was having some friends over. It's now become a household joke that we only serve MM to people we don't like.

02-18-2013, 23:24

JPBoston

Re: The "I don't care about the Maker's Mark's drama" thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dementedavenger

It's now become a household joke that we only serve MM to people we don't like.

Man, I'm no MM lover.... but I need more enemies like you.

02-20-2013, 12:29

humchan2k

Re: The "I don't care about the Maker's Mark's drama" thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethangsmith

Mine?
I don't care for "wheated" bourbons. I can appreciate the flavor profile and I can understand the craftsmanship and skill that go into brands like Van Winkle or Maker's Mark, but I just don't care for the sweetness and simpleness they impart. I'm a "rye guy" and I like brashness and spice in my whiskey and "wheated' bourbons do not deliver for my palate.

!

You are officially my hero. I have exactly 100% the same sentiment. I'm glad people like wheaters, but they just don't send me. Gimme big, bold ryes all day, thank you!

02-21-2013, 21:24

Restaurant man

Re: The "I don't care about the Maker's Mark's drama" thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by humchan2k

You are officially my hero. I have exactly 100% the same sentiment. I'm glad people like wheaters, but they just don't send me. Gimme big, bold ryes all day, thank you!

Umm. Have u seen your avatar?

02-22-2013, 11:06

White Dog

Re: The "I don't care about the Maker's Mark's drama" thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restaurant man

Umm. Have u seen your avatar?

I was thinking the same thing.

And while I'm not the biggest fan of MM, it's a solid/average wheater in a market that's extremely short on wheaters. While many of you "don't care" what happens with MM because you don't drink it, I'll still stand by you all when Beam drops Knob Creek to 86pr. Or when WT101 drops to WT91. Or when Baby Saz drops to 82.

02-22-2013, 13:55

humchan2k

Re: The "I don't care about the Maker's Mark's drama" thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restaurant man

Umm. Have u seen your avatar?

Fair point....but Old Fitz from '68 and current production MM have about as much in common as Pinot Noir and White Zin. Yeah, they're both wine....but that's about it. Same thing here.

Old Fitz is sexy and tastes rich, full bodied and is incredibly evenly balanced..MM tastes like sugar, water and emptiness

02-23-2013, 09:55

CoMobourbon

Re: The "I don't care about the Maker's Mark's drama" thread.

"if they aren't watering 'em down (MM), they are jacking up the prices (PVW) or removing the age statement (OWA) - they could all be named Larceny."

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChainWhip

Sadly, a trend not wholly exclusive to wheaters :-(

Quote:

Originally Posted by White Dog

I was thinking the same thing.

And while I'm not the biggest fan of MM, it's a solid/average wheater in a market that's extremely short on wheaters. While many of you "don't care" what happens with MM because you don't drink it, I'll still stand by you all when Beam drops Knob Creek to 86pr. Or when WT101 drops to WT91. Or when Baby Saz drops to 82.

Just connecting some dots here.

THIS is why the proof change matters to all of us. I too am not a huge Maker's fan, but I am troubled by this move (on a major brand made by a major whiskey producer) if it represents a larger trend - and I think it does. Complaining about it and resisting could (hopefully) influence macroscopic industry behavior.

Not that it will. But you get the idea; in principle, we should resist this.